FROM THE RECTOR – September 25, 2020
To the community of Saint Paul’s,
There is no doubt that we live in fearful times. In the midst of these times we need to always be reminded that it the way of love is the only response that speaks to our faith.
This week we will begin, in a limited way, to gather for in-person for worship. As we do so we must always be guided by our call to love one another. And, as we do, there are risks involved. The only way to minimize these risks is to act in a loving way to others. The Georgia Tech COVID-19 Event Risk Assessment Planning Tool shows that if 50 people gather together there is a 54% chance that one person has an active case of COVID-19. I personally don’t like those odds. I’m not a big risk taker. I am also aware that if one person contracts this disease, and becomes ill, because they attended a gathering at Saint Paul’s it will put many others at risk. It touches the care givers, their families, their co-workers, and friends. The question I place before the parish is, “Is it worth it?” Not, “Is the Church worth it:” but is being the Church in this space, and at this time, worth it? It is a question we will each answer in our own way.
I am, if you haven’t noticed, an extrovert. I thrive on interaction with others, face to face, in person, up close and personal. I know, however, that my love for others prevents this right now. It is hard. It’s not what I want, but I know it is what we need. It is the “we” that I consider, not my own wants or desires.
As we gather, I ask all who attend to think first about the other, the neighbor we are called to love. There will be strict guidelines in place. It means that each of us must follow these, that if there is a question about any of them you remember that it is out of love that they are in place; it is out of love that we take that extra step to protect the vulnerable among us. If one person “errs and strays” we all suffer.
Nothing would make me happier than for all of this to just go away. All I read and hear tells me that is not going to happen for some time. During these days ahead we cannot let down our guard and we must continue to live the way of love, not fearful, but resolute in knowing that the love we show for one another, for all that surrounds us, cast that fear aside.
What is that perfect love? It is that love that focuses all its energy on the other, not on what I want. It is Christ-like love that continually gives of self for the well-being of others.
Let us pray.
Most loving God, who teaches us that in loving our neighbor we are loving you: Grant us the strength and courage to live no longer for ourselves, but for him who died, is risen and gives us new life; that in so doing we may cast out the fear that infects our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
